Lacquer Box for Clothes

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection, *Lacquer Box for Clothes is a exquisite 19th-century woodblock printsurimono) by Ryūryūkyo Shinsai. Created with ink and color on paper this intimate work measures just 5⅝ × 7½ inches (14.3 × 19.1 cm), perfect for personal appreciation. Part of the renowned H.. Havemeyer Collection bequeathed in 1929, it the refined artistry of Japan's Edo period. Surim, meaning "printed things," were privately commissioned prints, often produced in limited editions for special occasions like New Year's greetings or poetry gatherings. Unlike mass-market ukiyo-e, they showcased superior craftsmanship, with vibrant colors, precise carving, and subtle textures achieved through meticulous woodblock techniques. Shinsai, a master of this genre, captures the elegant form of a lacquer box— a practical household item transformed into a symbol of refined taste. In Japanese culture, lacquerware represented luxury and everyday beauty, blending functionality with aesthetic harmony. This print invites us to savor such subtleties, highlighting how surimono bridged art and personal expression in 19th-century Japan. A gem for any visitor!

About the Artist

Ryūryūkyo Shinsai · 1799–1823

Ryūryūkyo Shinsai (柳々居辰斎), active from 1799 to 1823, was a prominent Japanese ukiyo-e printmaker based in Edo (modern Tokyo), renowned for his mastery of surimono—luxurious, privately commissioned woodblock prints produced for elite poetry circles and New Year's celebrations. He began his training under Tawaraya Sōri before becoming a student of the legendary Katsushika Hokusai, from whom he recei...